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Gravesend RNLI volunteers take on UK’s tallest Tower Run in full kit

Lifeboats News Release

Gravesend RNLI crew members Russell Allen and Ashley Bard are going above and beyond, quite literally, as they tackle the Tower Run at 22 Bishopsgate, the tallest building in the City of London - to raise money for the RNLI.

Russell Allen and Ashley Bard in their Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat Kit

RNLI/Gravesend

Russell Allen and Ashley Bard in their Gravesend RNLI Lifeboat Kit
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Wearing their full operational PPE, the pair will climb all 58 floors to raise vital funds for their lifeboat station. Taking on the UK’s toughest Tower Run event is no small feat, especially while wearing their RNLI drysuits.

RNLI Volunteer Russell Allen said, 'The challenge is not just a test of endurance, but showing our commitment and awe to the RNLI and the lifesaving work our fellow crew do on the Thames. Every step we climb helps support the equipment, training, and resources needed to save lives at sea thanks to your donations in support'.

Support Ashley and Russell as they push themselves to the limit for a cause close to their hearts on Saturday 25 October 2025.

Donate at https://fundraise.rnli.org/fundraisers/RussAsh/tower-run

Notes to Editor

Gravesend is one of the RNLI’s newest lifeboat stations and one of four lifeboat stations operating on the River Thames – the first stations to specifically cover a river rather than estuarial waters or the sea.

Our lifeboat is Olive Laura Deare II, an Atlantic 85 B class inshore lifeboat, which is one of the fastest types in the fleet.

RNLI media contacts

For more information please contact:

· Ashley Bard, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on [email protected]

· Hatti Mellor, Regional Communications Manager [email protected]

· RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

About the author

Ashley Bard
Lifeboat Press Officer, Gravesend

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